[MikeMidd]

Hah, you guys must be getting sick of my questions around here... indulge me again, however.

I recently moved from Arlington, VA into Washington, DC (Woodley Park). I just called my insurance company, GEICO, to check on rates for a 335i, and was astounded at how high the rates I was receiving were. $1050 for six months for a car garaged in DC, versus about $550 for one kept in Arlington. Same car, almost the same coverage (there are some required differences in DC versus VA). I'm floored. Absolutely shocked. Clean driving record, no violations for five years, etc. etc. Did quick quotes with a few others, and got rates almost the same (except for Progressive, which was around $750)

Does this jive with what others who live in the District have experienced? I knew it would go higher - but that's a LOT higher.

[HennarotM3]

I'm looking around for insurance myself (335i coming next week). I was getting anywhere from $1060-$1450, but Geico just quoted me $700 for identical coverage. Definitely check with them before you make a decision.

[DC_driver]

It all depends on your zip code and your age.
I live near Capitol Hill and I pay $620 every 6 months on my '06 330i.
How old are you? Over or under 30?

[MikeMidd]

20008, Woodley Park. Off-street parking. 28 years old. Perfect driving record (no idea how I've been that lucky...)

I've gotten some better rates with companies like Progressive and Travelers. But the GEICO/State Farm/Allstate quotes were so much higher, it was as if I was running around with 5 tickets and a crash to my name.

I'm wondering if my address, on Connecticut Ave, throws it off, or something. I'm not sure how much they micro-target, if they get down to that detail on a price quote.

[Clem]

I just moved from P.G. County to Howard Co. and my rates dropped from over $1600/year to under $900. No accidents or tickets. Zip code and inside the Beltway vs. outside are everything around here.

[DC_driver]

Your car is 2 yrs newer than mine. But the rates you're getting are insane.
I have Geico and their rates can change by the city block. Off street parking doesn't matter. It goes by accidents and crime per block. Call Geico and give them different steets and zip codes in The District and see the drastic changes in rates.

[BK]

I hate to say it, but that sounds about right. When I had a car in 20009, the insurance rates were a sh*&load higher than for Northern VA.

[MikeMidd]

Originally Posted by DC_driver

Your car is 2 yrs newer than mine. But the rates you're getting are insane.
I have Geico and their rates can change by the city block. Off street parking doesn't matter. It goes by accidents and crime per block. Call Geico and give them different steets and zip codes in The District and see the drastic changes in rates.

Ha, it amuses me because it's freakin' Woodley Park. I mean, I regularly see 6-7 BMWs in my neighborhood, including two living in my building. Hardly "crime ridden" or anything. The numbers indicated the comprehensive was the issue, way higher than in VA or elsewhere. So they must assume there will be a lot of vandalism/theft, as opposed to accidents. It's not like I live in Adams Morgan...

It looks like I found some others who can offer a much better rate, so will bid farewell to the caveman.

[HennarotM3]

I'm surprised because even though I live in Gallery Place it's the 20001 zip code which I'm sure isn't great for crime. I got $5xx per 6 mos. from Geico.

[BK]

Originally Posted by MikeMidd

Ha, it amuses me because it's freakin' Woodley Park. I mean, I regularly see 6-7 BMWs in my neighborhood, including two living in my building. Hardly "crime ridden" or anything. The numbers indicated the comprehensive was the issue, way higher than in VA or elsewhere. So they must assume there will be a lot of vandalism/theft, as opposed to accidents. It's not like I live in Adams Morgan...

You haven't lived in the city for long. There is a tremendous number of "theft from auto" crimes in the high-traffic areas of the city (Woodley, Dupont, Cleveland Park, downtown, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and so on) -- broken windows to get something sitting on your seats (iPod, CDs, cell phones, ...). Mostly this happens to cars parked on the street, but also to cars parked behind houses in alleys or in parking lots near busy streets like Conn Ave. There's also a lot more auto theft in the city than you realize, but I doubt anyone would steal a Bimmer because I understand they're difficult to steal.

FWIW, I lived in the city 8 years and I never knew anyone who had his car stolen. I knew TONS of people who had their cars broken into, some had it happen multiple times. Never happened to me. Lucky.

[06RedGoat]

Although I don't live in the city, that does sound a little high. I am paying about the same on an e92, and I am only 22. I don't know how much difference it makes living in the city though.

[MikeMidd]

Yeah, it seems like I'll just have to keep doing research for the best rates. Was surprised because a couple others who I know who live in this neighborhood have GEICO and have very reasonable rates (obviously different cars, but still...). I might get sneaky and try a friend's address two blocks off Connecticut to see if that changes it (she has a new Scion TC, pays $500/six mos.).

I only know one person whose car has been broken into in DC. He had a beat up old Integra parked on-street in Adams Morgan with a great sound system, so they jacked the head unit and some speakers. His fault for never removing the faceplate - stupid! I know a chick whose Accord got jacked from Adams Morgan, and found a couple weeks later stripped. She didn't lock the car - stupid!

[MaxL]

Geico gives good rates in DC but they strongly favor high deductibles and good credit. When I renewed my insurance i got $620 for 6 months with GEICO, which was about $60 down from my previous rate, despite I got a ticket couple of months before the renewal. I bet it has something to do with my credit score going up 100+ points between renewals (that happens when you are new to the country).

[dizzy]

Im over 30, good record and own
95 740il
00 740i
and
07 335i
Zip is 20850
pay $160 per month for all three
liability for the 7's and full cov for the 3 with Geico.